I'm a British citizen and my boyfriend is American - anyone in a similar situation?...?

We want to get married and live together in the same country but because of immigration laws etc - it's not easy. Would it be easier for me to get to the US or for my boyfriend to come to the UK? He could get a transfer with his company over here - but we might not be able to afford the expense of London. I'd like to go to the US but I think immigration laws make that harder - but it's a better standard of living where my boyfriend currently lives.
We just want to be together as soon as possible - where can I get good advice on which way is easier (me going to the US or him coming to the UK)? And also how do we go about it? Fiancee visas take a long time to go through - is there a quicker way?
thanks

Triple Threat

If he is american, and you can get a visa to go to the US....and get married...I think you will be fine getting citizenship eventually.

I would hit the US government website about immigration and see what it says...all that info is public. :)

CPG

The time frame is going to be the same either way. Fiancee visas take roughly 8-12 months in both directions. If you want to go to the U.S. search for "K1 Visa" and click the first link below.

For him to come to the U.K. click the 2nd link.

There is no quicker way. Marriage and fiancee visas are always the quickest and easiest routes for people in your situation. Everything else is a waste of time and money because it will take you twice as long and cost you more money with no guarantee of the same result.

alsaser

I am in the process right now. I'm American, my fiance is English. We filed for a fiance visa in july. unfortunately, its not a quick process. Its complicated and after looking at my choices we chose the K1 fiance visa route.
If we were to just meet up n get married, and your intent why to fly here and marry...you could be banned from the US for 3 yrs. Its not easy and not quick.
Our best option was for him the English citizen to come to America cause its cheaper, etc.
Weigh your options and chose carefully. better to be safe then sorry. I feel for you...in the same boat! If you need help, email me! i have tons of links and info...its just scattered, but i'll help if i can!

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1315.html

ibu guru

Since he can get a transfer to his company's London office, and you (presumably) have a job in the UK, the fastest and easiest thing to do is for him to take the job in London and join you there. Your standard of living won't be much in the US with the high costs of immigration and long time before you will be able to get employment authorization, get a Social Security number and then start job hunting. You are always better off going where you HAVE a job than where you have to hunt for a job.

mirti

I Am a U.S. Citizen... How Do I...Help My FiancÃ©(e) Become a Permanent Resident of the United States?
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/A2.pdf
I Am a U.S. Citizen... How Do Iâ€¦Help My Relative Become a Permanent Resident of the United States?
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/A1.pdf
Bye.

Politically Correct

Once you are married, getting a spousal visa is very straightforward. Neither country will refuse you.

It sounds as if you going to USA is your preferred route. There is no American equivalent to the UK fiance visa, in the USA you have to apply from outside the country and wait as you have already found out.

The quickest way would be to enter the country on a visitor's visa and then apply to alter your status from within. This is because otherwise they will ask you to wait until you have completed the process before being let in and this can take a couple of years depending on the backlog at the country you are applying from. I have a friend who has already been waiting two years for his wife to join him and she has not even been called for interview yet.

Once you are in the country and married to an American, they legally have to give you immediate permission to live and work there. I got my permission (a stamp in my passport) the next week. Your green card will take a while to come through and they recommend you not leave the country while it is in process although I did.

I did my entire process without a lawyer.

Once you have your green card you will be able to move to London. After your husband has been in Blighty for five years he will be able to get a Real Passport.

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